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After 33 years, Nick Dunlap becomes the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event
Nick Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama, has etched his name in history at The American Express. Dunlap achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson did so 33 years ago. Concluding with a final-round score of 70 and an impressive total of 29-under, Dunlap showcased both resilience and skill by maintaining a lead and staging a comeback on Sunday to secure victory in La Quinta, Calif.
Starting the day with a three-stroke advantage, courtesy of a third-round 60 (the lowest score by an amateur in a PGA Tour event since Patrick Cantlay in 2001), Dunlap faced a setback with a disastrous double-bogey on the seventh hole. Undeterred, he shifted his mindset, displaying composure throughout the remaining holes. Seizing an opportunity when leader Sam Burns encountered trouble with a tee shot into the water at the 17th, Dunlap capitalised to claim a two-shot lead as they approached the 18th hole.
On the 18th hole, Dunlap’s tee shot veered to the right, ending up in the gallery. Burns, following a similar misfortune with his second consecutive tee shot, effectively removed himself from contention despite leading the tournament for 70 holes. Meanwhile, ahead of them, Christiaan Bezuidenhout secured a crucial long birdie, bringing his total to 28-under and creating the possibility of a playoff if Dunlap couldn’t successfully convert the par.
Facing an uphill lie from the rough, Dunlap’s approach once again drifted right but fortuitously rolled down onto the fringe of the green. This presented him with an opportunity for an up-and-down to secure an outright victory and bypass the need for a playoff. Executing a skillful approach onto the green, Dunlap was left with a nerve-wracking 5-foot, 9-inch putt for the win. Demonstrating confidence, he sank the putt with authority, erupting in celebration even before the ball dropped into the hole.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” Dunlap expressed afterward. “I kept telling Sam multiple times, it’s just amazing to be out here and go through this experience as an amateur. Whether I made or missed that putt, if someone had told me on Wednesday night that I’d have a chance to win this golf tournament with a crucial putt, I wouldn’t have believed them.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Dunlap left the green and shared heartfelt embraces with his family and college coach, tears welling up in his eyes.
Dunlap’s triumph serves as a welcome piece of positive news for Alabama athletics in the current circumstances. Recently retired former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban, who surprisingly stepped down earlier this month, dialed into the Golf Channel broadcast during Dunlap’s round. Saban commended the sophomore’s composure and putting skills.
Adding to the accolades, Phil Mickelson also expressed admiration for Dunlap:
Mickelson wasn’t the sole professional to commend Dunlap. Jon Rahm, known for his own ability to sink pressure-packed putts, shared his thoughts:
Bezuidenhout secured a solo second-place finish, claiming the $1.5 million prize that, as an amateur, Dunlap was not eligible for. Kevin Yu, Xander Schauffele, and fellow Alabama alum Justin Thomas all tied for third at 27-under.
Dunlap stands as the first reigning U.S. Amateur champion to win on the Tour since Tiger Woods in 1996. This victory, should he opt to turn professional, grants Dunlap entries into prestigious events such as the Masters, the PGA Championship, the Players Championship, and notably, a two-year exemption onto the PGA Tour. A significant decision awaits him in the near future.
